Yoga is one of those exercises that feels good and can burn a ton of calories all at once. But it’s important to find a class, studio and instructor that align with your goals.
Whether you want to build strength or focus on flexibility, yoga has a class for everyone. Here are some tips to help you choose the right yoga classes for you.
Flow 1
Flow 1 is a slower paced class that moves mindfully from one pose to the next, coordinated with your breath. It is designed to build strength, flexibility, balance and calmness.
This is a beginner-intermediate yoga class that incorporates sun salutations, standing poses and seated postures. This is a low impact, functional workout using your own body weight and elastic bands to increase muscle tone and improve flexibility and balance. The class concludes with a deep relaxation in savasana to reground the mind, heart, and soul.
Be Studio
Designed for those new to yoga or who want to deepen their current practice. This class teaches the foundational poses and movements in an accessible way.
This yin-based practice uses passive, longer-held postures to target the deeper muscles, ligaments & fascia networks of the body. Yin yoga is a perfect complement to more active fitness classes, helping your body maintain flexibility and reduce injury risk.
The BE Sculpted class is the ultimate full-body workout combining elements of yoga, pilates & barre. This challenging yet deeply nourishing class is the perfect antidote to our busy lives – building strength while cultivating flexibility & peace of mind.
Hot Flow
Hot Flow yoga is a dynamic form of exercise that connects breath to movement in a flowing sequence. The heated environment warms muscles, allowing for deeper stretches and reducing the risk of injury. Hot yoga also enhances flexibility, builds strength, and promotes detoxification.
Practicing hot yoga can be challenging for beginners, but with persistence and commitment, it is possible to reap the benefits of this practice. It’s important to arrive to class early, to acclimate to the heat and allow time to breathe deeply and move with ease. It’s also helpful to bring a mat towel and water to manage sweating.
Private
Private yoga classes are a great fit for anyone who wants to learn the basics in a one-on-one setting. Private sessions allow students to ask questions, work at their own pace and clear up any confusion they may have in a class.
Busy schedules are often the biggest barrier for yogis when it comes to finding time to practice. When you work with a private instructor, they can create a yoga schedule that fits around your life and ensures consistency.
As a beginner, there are probably going to be lots of questions that you want answered. It’s difficult with a group class to have that time to air your questions.
Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga is a very slow-paced practice that uses props like blocks, bolsters, and blankets to help you feel fully supported in each pose without any strain. This type of yoga is perfect for balancing out an active workout and can also be beneficial before bedtime.
It activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping to reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Studies have also shown that people who regularly participate in restorative yoga experience better fluid cognitive thinking, making it a great practice to improve your ability to solve problems and think clearly. It’s also great for any age or fitness level.
Meditation
Yoga and meditation are a wonderful combination that offer the full spectrum of both physical and mental benefits. In particular, meditation helps decrease physiological stress and arousal. This can help reduce headaches, muscle pain and sleep problems. It also helps people manage chronic stress, which is known to have serious health implications, including high blood pressure and heart disease.
Teachers who teach meditation yoga classes can help students prepare to meditate by giving them a few minutes of movement and pranayama exercises before the meditation session. This minimizes transitional time and ensures that students are comfortable and ready to focus their minds. The teacher can then guide them into the meditative state.